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An irascible stand-up comic whose acid-tongued, take-no-prisoners style earned her widespread acclaim, Wanda Sykes had, over a short period of time, developed into one of the top female comedians in the business. Though small and impish in stature, Sykes loomed large on the comedy scene, ever since her stint on "The Chris Rock Show" (HBO, 1997-2000) - a breakthrough that helped propel the unknown comedian into the limelight. Ever since, Sykes made a career of cutting through the bull and hypocrisy of life, though never in a mean-spirited or pugnacious way. Instead, she wrapped her brash humor in a blanket of charm and intelligence, allowing Sykes to talk about touchy issues like race and politics without having to sacrifice her integrity.Born in Portsmouth, VA on March 7, 1964 and raised in the Washington D.C. area, Sykes enjoyed the comfort of a middle-class home afforded by her Army colonel father, who was employed at the Pentagon, and her banker mother. She attended Arundel High School, where she discovered that she had a knack for bringing the funny, then like the sensible person she was, moved on to Hampton University to earn a bachelor's degree in marketing. Following her father into government service, Sykes took a job at the National Security Agency as a procurement officer and immediately became bored with the routine - one made more irritating because of the guilt she felt for having to frivolously spend taxpayers' money. In 1987, Sykes decided to make a change and performed a five-minute stand-up routine at a talent competition sponsored by Coors Light. Though she lost, Sykes killed that night, finally realizing her serious love of performing and making people laugh.Sykes spent the next five years honing her whip-smart, cynical material and matter-of-fact delivery in D.C.-area clubs until she was confident enough to quit the NSA in 1992 - a move which her parents understandably found crazy. After moving to New York City, Sykes caught her first break opening for Chris Rock at Caroline's Comedy Club. The two worked well together, prompting Rock to hire Sykes as a writer and occasional performer for "The Chris Rock Show." Although the show did not make her a household name, Sykes did earn four Emmy nominations - including a 1999 win - along with her fellow writers, opening an untold number of doors. In 1998, she made her feature debut in Louis C.K.'s "Tomorrow Night," a dark comedy about a mean-spirited photo shop clerk (Chuck Sklar) and his bizarre relationship with an elderly woman (Martha Greenhouse).After a small part in "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" (2000), she reunited with Rock in two uninspired comedies, "Down to Earth" (2001) - a remake of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941) - and "Pootie Tang" (2001), a spin-off of the crime fighting, Ebonics-spewing pimp from "The Chris Rock Show." As her presence on screens both large and small became more frequent, Sykes began earning wider recognition, including a win for Outstanding Female Stand-Up at the 15th Annual American Comedy Awards. Sykes then landed the hostess job on "Premium Blend" (1997-2006), a live comedy showcase on Comedy Central, for the 2002-03 season. In an unusual turn, she began doing correspondent bits on HBO's "Inside the NFL" (1977- ), a gig she landed after heckling executive producer Rick Bernstein at a wrap party. Bernstein wanted a humorous report on steroids and called in Sykes for the job. Though no team wanted a funny report on such a serious issue - they refused to talk to her - Sykes nonetheless developed a humorous segment that became a regular feature on the show, earning the comedienne Emmy Awards in 2002 and 2004.Continuing to up her profile, Sykes made a multi-episode arc on "The Drew Carey Show" (ABC, 1995-2004) as a demanding efficiency expert who has crush on Carey. In 2001, Sykes made the first of several appearances on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO, 2000- ), playing a caricature of herself in a hilarious episode where she accuses